Open AccessCoverage of Islam in the Western Press: Exploring Episodic and Thematic Frames
Author(s) -
Hiwaz,
Syed Abdul Siraj
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of peace, development and communication
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2663-7901
pISSN - 2663-7898
DOI - 10.36968/jpdc-v05-i01-14
Subject(s) - islam , newspaper , framing (construction) , orientalism , religious studies , politics , guardian , fundamentalism , gender studies , media studies , interfaith dialogue , sociology , political science , history , law , philosophy , archaeology
This study is primarily a quantitative content analysis that attempts to explore episodic aswell as thematic frames related to Islam and Muslims in the Guardian (UK), the WashingtonPost (USA), the Australian (Australia) and the National Post (Canada). The research aims tofind out the extent and nature of the coverage of episodic and thematic frames in the selectednewspapers on Islam and Muslims. The study also aims to explore the tone of coverage of theWestern political leaders about Islam and Muslims in the selected newspapers. Drawing onframing theory and Said’s Orientalism/Occidentalism, this study found out that overall thecoverage had more negative frames used for Islam and Muslims. Most of the stories were onStereotypes/Prejudices/fundamentalism followed by Racism/Religious frame. Westernnewspapers have racial and stereotypical predispositions towards Islam and its adherents.Furthermore, Islam was framed more often as threatful and intolerant religion. It was alsofound out that in all the selected newspapers, coverage of the Western politicians was moreharsh and negative than positive towards Islam and Muslims.